WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Mississippi

When Do Swallows Arrive in Mississippi?

Adult Chimney Swift
Photo: Ali Campbell, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Chimney Swifts, Barn Swallows, and Purple Martins are the swallows you are most likely to see in Mississippi. Chimney Swifts reach Mississippi in mid March, are common by early April, peak in the second week of May (28% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 15-21mid March
Common byApr 1-7early April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals mid March; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 28% of Mississippi checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octcommon
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Swallows in Mississippi, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Chimney SwiftMar 15-21Apr 1-7May 8-14Oct 1-728%
Barn SwallowMar 1-7Mar 22-31May 1-7Aug 15-2125%
Purple MartinFeb 8-14Mar 1-7Jun 22-30Jul 22-3117%
Cliff SwallowMar 15-21Apr 8-14Jun 22-30Aug 8-1410%
Tree SwallowSep 22-30Oct 1-7Apr 1-7May 22-315.4%
Bank SwallowJul 15-21Jul 15-21Aug 22-31Sep 22-301.4%
0%10%20%30%Chimney SwiftBarn SwallowPurple MartinCliff SwallowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Chimney Swift
  • Barn Swallow
  • Purple Martin
  • Cliff Swallow
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Mississippi that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Mississippi

Best counties for Chimney Swift

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Jefferson Davis CountyBest the second week of April · 11 checklists that week, 370 in all67%
  2. Coahoma CountyBest mid April · 39 checklists that week, 743 in all65%
  3. Adams CountyBest late May · 60 checklists that week, 1,749 in all60%
  4. Marion CountyBest late May · 12 checklists that week, 380 in all58%
  5. Marshall CountyBest late September · 43 checklists that week, 1,345 in all56%
  6. Hinds CountyBest late May · 238 checklists that week, 9,842 in all54%

All swallows in Mississippi

6 species are reported regularly: 6 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorMar 1-7May 1-725%
2Purple MartinSummer visitorFeb 8-14Jun 22-3017%
3Cliff SwallowSummer visitorMar 15-21Jun 22-3010%
4Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorMar 1-7Apr 8-148.9%
5Tree SwallowSummer visitorSep 22-30Apr 1-75.4%
6Bank SwallowSummer visitorJul 15-21Aug 22-311.4%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Mississippi?
Chimney Swifts reach Mississippi in mid March, are common by early April, peak in the second week of May (28% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.
When do swallows leave Mississippi?
Most Chimney Swifts have left Mississippi by early October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.
When is the best time to see swallows in Mississippi?
The Chimney Swift is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 28% of Mississippi checklists.
Which swallows are in Mississippi?
Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Purple Martin, Cliff Swallow, Tree Swallow, and Bank Swallow are reported regularly; the Chimney Swift is the most common.